Although edited in hopes of attracting a wider audience, Mel Gibson's "The Passion Re-cut" opened to mostly empty cinemas last weekend in the US, having an average of less than ten people per showing.

The film, which grossed US$370 million last year, pulled in a meager $239,850 despite playing in nearly 960 cinemas.

Gibson said he recut the movie for people who were put off by the brutality of the original, which explicitly depicted Christ's scourging and crucifixion. But the fact that the original is available on DVD has limited cinematic prospects for the recut edition.

The head of distribution for Newmarket Films, which released the original and recut versions, expressed disappointment, but said he hopes more movie-goers will turn out as Easter approaches.

The film will open in the UK on Good Friday - March 25th with many Christians in UK expressing a desire to see the new 15-rated version of the blockbusting movie.

However, whether expectation in the UK will transfer to cinema seats being filled is still to be seen. Many predict that the opening days of the re-release will be more successful in the UK due to the timing of the release.




Justin Camacho
Ecumenical Press